Clothes and shoes are essential household expenses, but replacing worn items or buying for a new season can quickly become expensive. This is especially true for families with growing children, people starting a new job, or anyone needing specialist clothing for work, school or changing weather.
The good news is that saving money does not always mean settling for poor-quality items. By planning purchases, comparing prices and taking better care of what you already own, you can reduce clothing costs while still buying the things you need.
Here are some practical ways to save money on clothes and shoes without putting unnecessary pressure on your budget.
Check What You Already Own
Before buying anything new, take some time to go through your wardrobe, drawers and shoe storage.
You may discover items that have been forgotten, particularly clothes stored away for a different season. Trying everything on can also help you identify what still fits and what you genuinely need to replace.
Consider separating your belongings into:
- Items you regularly wear
- Clothes that need repairing
- Seasonal clothing to store
- Items that no longer fit
- Clothing you could sell or donate
Creating a clear list of what you need can help prevent duplicate purchases and reduce impulse spending.
Set a Clothing Budget
A clothing budget can make it easier to manage both planned and unexpected purchases.
Think about the costs you may face over the next few months, including:
- Work clothes
- School uniforms
- Children’s shoes
- Winter coats
- Sports clothing
- Clothes for special occasions
You could set aside a small amount each month rather than waiting until several items need replacing at once. Even a modest clothing fund can help you avoid relying on credit when an essential purchase arises.
How to Get Good Deals on Clothes
Knowing how to get good deals on clothes often comes down to timing and preparation.
Retailers regularly reduce prices during:
- End-of-season sales
- Bank holiday promotions
- Clearance events
- Black Friday offers
- January sales
Buying items at the end of a season can lead to significant savings. For example, you may find winter coats reduced in spring or summer clothes discounted as autumn approaches.
However, a reduced price is only a saving if you genuinely need the item. Buying something simply because it is on sale still increases your overall spending.
Compare Prices Before Buying
The same or a similar item may be available at several different prices.
Before completing a purchase:
- Check other retailers
- Search for discount codes
- Compare delivery charges
- Review the returns policy
- Look at customer reviews
It can also help to leave an item in your online basket for a day before buying it. This gives you time to decide whether the purchase is necessary rather than acting on impulse.
Some retailers may send a discount after an item has been left in a basket, although this is not guaranteed.
Shopping With Discounts and Loyalty Schemes
Shopping with discounts can reduce the cost of essential clothes and shoes, particularly if you already know what you need.
Potential savings may be available through:
- Retailer newsletters
- Loyalty programmes
- Cashback websites
- Student discounts
- Workplace discount schemes
- Voucher codes
- Supermarket reward schemes
Before signing up for a membership or newsletter, check whether it offers a genuine benefit. Promotional emails can sometimes encourage unnecessary spending, so consider unsubscribing once you have made the purchase.
Avoid paying for a premium membership unless the expected savings are greater than the membership cost.
Buy Second-Hand Clothes and Shoes
Second-hand shopping can be one of the most effective ways to reduce clothing costs.
You may find affordable items through:
- Charity shops
- Online resale platforms
- Local selling groups
- Car boot sales
- School uniform exchanges
- Friends and relatives
Many second-hand items have been worn only a few times and may be available for a fraction of their original price.
Check clothing carefully for stains, missing buttons or damaged zips. When buying shoes, look at the condition of the soles and make sure they still provide suitable support.
Sell Clothes You No Longer Wear
Selling unwanted clothes can help you recover some money and free up storage space.
Items that may sell well include:
- Branded clothing
- Coats and jackets
- Occasion wear
- Children’s clothes sold in bundles
- Shoes in good condition
- Handbags and accessories
Be realistic when setting prices and remember to account for postage, packaging and any platform fees.
You could place the money you make into your clothing budget or use it towards other household expenses.
Choose Versatile Clothing
Buying fewer items that work well together can reduce the need for a large wardrobe.
Focus on clothes that:
- Can be worn for different occasions
- Match several existing items
- Can be layered during colder weather
- Are easy to wash and care for
- Are suitable for more than one season
A simple, versatile wardrobe can be more useful than owning lots of clothes that are rarely worn.
Before buying something new, think of at least three outfits you could create using items you already have.
Look After Clothes and Shoes Properly
Taking care of clothes can help them last longer and reduce how often they need replacing.
Useful habits include:
- Following washing instructions
- Washing at lower temperatures where appropriate
- Avoiding unnecessary tumble drying
- Treating stains quickly
- Storing clothes correctly
- Using suitable shoe protection
- Allowing shoes to dry naturally
Rotating between different pairs of shoes can also help each pair last longer. Wearing the same shoes every day may cause them to wear out more quickly.
Repair Instead of Replace
A minor fault does not always mean an item needs to be thrown away.
Simple repairs may include:
- Replacing buttons
- Sewing small tears
- Fixing loose hems
- Replacing laces
- Using iron-on patches
- Repairing worn shoe heels or soles
Some shoe repairs may cost less than replacing the shoes altogether, particularly if the original pair is good quality.
You may be able to learn basic repairs online or ask a friend or relative who is confident with sewing.
Be Careful with Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later is a form of borrowing, even when no interest is charged.
Since 15 July 2026, many new Buy Now, Pay Later agreements provided by third-party lenders have been regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Regulated lenders must follow rules relating to information, affordability and support for customers experiencing financial difficulty.
However, not every type of instalment agreement is covered by these rules. Agreements entered into before 15 July 2026 may also be treated differently.
Before using Buy Now, Pay Later, consider:
- Whether you could afford the full cost without borrowing
- How many other instalment agreements you are currently repaying
- When each payment is due
- What happens if you miss a payment
- Whether the provider reports missed payments to credit reference agencies
- Whether the purchase is genuinely necessary
Using several agreements at the same time can make it difficult to keep track of what you owe. For non-essential purchases, waiting and saving may be a safer option.
Avoid Buying for One Occasion
Weddings, parties and other events can create pressure to buy an entirely new outfit.
Instead, consider:
- Wearing something you already own
- Borrowing from a friend or relative
- Renting an outfit
- Buying second-hand
- Changing accessories to create a different look
Most people are unlikely to remember whether you have worn an outfit before. Reusing clothing can save money without reducing your enjoyment of the occasion.
What Should I Do Now?
Learning how to save money on clothes and shoes is often about planning ahead, avoiding impulse purchases and making better use of what you already have.
Buying second-hand, shopping with discounts and caring for clothes properly can all help lower costs over time. Small changes to your shopping habits may also leave more money available for essential bills and other priorities.
If rising living costs and debt are making it difficult to manage your household budget, My Debt Plan can help you understand your options.
Get debt help online or speak to our team for a confidential conversation on 0161 464 0870.
